Ohio unemployment falls again

Friday, November 16, 2012 7:03 PM

BY ED GEBERT

Times Bulletin Editor

egebert@timesbulletin.com

VAN WERT - The downward trend of Ohio's unemployment rate continued in October according to the latest from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). The state unemployment figure dropped last month to 6.9 percent from 7.1 percent in September.

Friday's report showed increased employment and decreased unemployment to lower the rate. Employment was up in October by 13,900 to a total of 5,191,900. Meanwhile the number of jobless in Ohio fell by 10,000 to 396,000.

In the past 12 months, the unemployment rolls have been reduced by 88,000. However over that same span of time, the number of jobs in the state has dropped by 121,100, making the results a little less optimistic.

Job increases in the Buckeye State in October came from professional and business services (7,300), government (5,200), educational and health services (3,400), and other services (3,100). Losses occurred in manufacturing (2,200), and trade, transportation and utilities (3,800).

Over the past 12 months, the state added 13,500 manufacturing jobs as well as 25,300 in educational and health services, 21,300 in professional and business services and 14,600 in trade, transportation, and utilities. Losses were seen in government (500) and in information (400).

The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 7.9 percent, up from 7.8 percent in September, and down from 8.9 percent in October 2011.

County unemployment statistics for October will be released on Tuesday by ODJFS. In September, Van Wert County's jobless figure fell to 6.7 percent on a report of 100 fewer unemployed and 100 more jobs. That report put the county about mid-pack compared to the other 87 Ohio counties.